An enquiry that is standing, waiting is an active enquiry that is not at this moment being actively being tried by an enquirer. It has been left standing on the system, waiting in case an active enquiry fits with it. The chooser with the standing enquiry is considered to be the respondent.

This term is inspired by Milton: “They also serve who only stand and wait.”

• Opposite to: active.
• This is quite different from inactive.